Prologue: I'm Fucked
I think I'm fucked.
"Young Master! A letter has arrived!"
"······."
Letters lay piled high across the desk in front of me.
I picked one up at random.
A letter in lavish colors.
The sealing wax bore the stamp used only by the imperial bloodline itself.
I skimmed the others.
They were no different.
The Grand Duke of the North who guarded the Empire against the Demon Realm, the Saintess who led the Sun Church, the shrine maiden who read the stars and foresaw the future, the wandering beggar who was secretly the King of Assassins, the mad university professor, and more.
Giants who could shake the continent with a single word or a casual gesture.
The gifts they had sent like tribute tumbled across the desk alongside their letters.
"Shall I send the usual reply today and tell them all to get lost?"
"······No. I'll just read them."
"As expected of the Young Master! Such boundless compassion!"
Even Dolf, standing right there praising me.
My head was starting to hurt.
······Fine. I'll just check. Then I'll explain that it's not true.
Rip!
With trembling hands, Evan tore open the letter from the Saintess.
— When is the next plan to summon the sun?
— Lately I have been waiting so desperately for your plans that I feel as though my neck might snap from the strain.
— Why will you not meet me in person? Still, I shall wait until your will reaches me.
— Please, bestow upon me a magnificent prophecy······.
No, fuck. It's not like that.
Evan squeezed his eyes shut and shoved the letter aside.
He had no desire to hear the "Ooooh! Treating the Saintess's letter like trash······!" coming from beside him.
He opened another letter.
— I hear the weather has grown cold of late. Take care of yourself. So then, when does the next "calamity" arrive? Give me the answer. You of all people must know.
— When will you teach me the method to cut down the moon? I am forever awaiting only your reply. You know everything, after all.
— Our stars are drawing near······ Heh heh. That must mean our destinies will soon intertwine, yes? You already know this, of course. I shall wait for that moment alone······.
"······."
Every single one of these giants was demanding the correct answer from Evan.
As if they truly believed he was the real power behind everything — the mastermind.
"Whose request will you grant this time? There is nothing the Young Master cannot do, is there?"
At Dolf's words, spoken as though he were praising a god—
Fuck, it's not like that.
Evan squeezed both eyes shut tight.
Before he closed them, the four fluttering characters on the letter — Reply Requested — he deliberately ignored as well.
······Just how the hell did it come to this?
The beginning, yes.
It had all started with a single letter.